Commission adopts criteria for transitioning 'jam' emergency permits into brick-and-mortar POE permits

The commission adopted staff recommendations establishing criteria to guide review and agenda placement for businesses transitioning from temporary 'jam' permits — a program created under the mayoral emergency proclamations — to permanent brick-and-mortar POE permits.

Staff explained the jam permit will sunset on March 31, 2023, with a 60-day wind-down period. Businesses that want to continue outdoor amplified sound or entertainment must apply for a brick-and-mortar permit or amend an existing indoor permit to include outdoor activity. Staff recommended that applications proposing no change to programming, that receive no neighborhood opposition and have no outstanding compliance issues be placed on a consent permit agenda for streamlined processing; applications proposing enhanced or different programming, those with neighborhood opposition, unresolved compliance issues, or staff-identified concerns should be placed on the regular permit agenda for fuller review.

Commissioners discussed filing fee waivers (staff said funds have been identified but legislation may be required to implement a waiver program), outreach and tracking, and commissioners expressed support for minimizing burdens on small operators while keeping discretion for staff and the commission to move items between consent and regular agendas. The commission moved and adopted the staff recommendations by recorded vote.